Just the other day, I was perusing social media and scrolled by a celebrity’s post promoting her new book. It had images of quoted reviews, hundreds of likes, and dozens of comments.
As an author myself, I couldn’t help feeling a bit jealous. Because this woman is a celebrity, thousands of people know her name and don’t think twice about ordering her book, liking her content, or commenting on her posts. But for an unknown person like me? Comparatively, I receive much less engagement.
But then a thought occurred to me: Maybe people don’t realize the influence they have on social media.
Want tips on how to improve your influence on social media? Scroll down to learn more!
Personal vs. Professional Accounts
Comparing personal and professional social media accounts is like comparing high school football to the NFL—they’re completely different leagues!
Personal accounts are simply that: personal. Whatever you’re comfortable sharing on social media is what you post. There aren’t expectations of posting regularly or creating exceptional content. You can have as many or as few followers as you prefer. The social media world is your oyster where you have the power to determine how social you want to be.
Professional accounts do not have that same flexibility. To promote your brand, you must create content that engages followers and caters to your market of viewers. The more followers you have and the more engagement your posts receive, the better your page's chance of being a part of “the algorithm.”
Simply put, a social media algorithm is a system of guidelines that decides which content appears in users' feeds. Things like:
The popularity of a post: how well-liked it is.
The content relevance: how well content matches a user’s interests.
User behavior: past interactions, such as what the user likes, comments on, or creates.
These are all factors that the algorithm uses to prioritize content. And every platform utilizes a different algorithm, so not every factor is weighed the same (a very fun learning curve *insert sarcasm).
As a self-published author with a professional social media account, it’s my responsibility to attempt to learn the algorithm’s priorities and create content accordingly. The trick here is that even when I follow the algorithm's rules, if my posts don’t accumulate views, engagement, or followers, I’ve failed.
Well, maybe not failed, but it certainly can feel that way.
Because so much value is weighed in the number of likes, follows, views, and engagements, it makes it difficult for indie creators to establish credibility online. Building a reputation—both in the algorithm and with people—is key to getting your brand “out there,” and the best way to do that is with the help of people you know!
5 Ways to Support Indie Creators
Indie creators (or independent creators) can be people who run small businesses, are independent artists, or are self-published authors (just to name a few!). They work independently from large, commercial companies and have complete creative control over their products and/or services.
As an independent creator on social media, you want people to find your page who are interested in what you have to offer, which is why having support to expand and promote your brand is so important! Engagement today lays the foundation for growth and impact tomorrow, so don’t dismiss the influence you have to make a difference, especially for indie creators!
Here are 5 simple ways YOU can support independent creators today:
1. Follow:
Follow their professional page; it’s that simple!
2. Engage:
Liking a post is the easiest form of engagement. If you want to go the extra mile, commenting on or sharing a post is a huge bonus! Another easy option is to save the post which tells the algorithm this content is important. And if a creator uses interactive content, answer the poll or provide feedback. Every bit of engagement goes a long way for indie creators!
3. Buy:
Sales are a huge indicator of success for indie creators, so purchase their merchandise or use their services! Another idea is to buy their products or services as a gift for someone else to enjoy, too!
4. Review:
Whether it’s a comprehensive paragraph or a simple sentence, reviews are essential in helping indie creators grow their reach! If you’ve bought their product or used their service, leaving a review is the most helpful and encouraging thing you can do.
5. Recommend:
Word-of-mouth recommendations are the most genuine advertisements! Telling others about an indie creator’s brand and inviting them to follow their page on social media is an incredible way to show your support and help them reach new consumers.
Navigating the social media world as an indie creator can be frustrating and confusing, but having a supportive community makes all the difference! The next time you scroll through your feed, don’t simply glaze over posts; take a moment to make a positive difference. Indie authors, artists, and small business owners will thank you.
Remember: your engagement on social media matters!
Independent Creators Spotlight
Check out a few indie creators below!
Small Business: Anderson Addressing by Sara Anderson
Anderson Addressing is here to help with all of your mailing needs! From holiday cards to shower invitations to birthday celebrations, you can find all the help you need with card design and envelope addressing. Want your mail to make a statement? Inquire about the vast wax seal options Anderson Addressing has to offer! Wax seals aren't just for mail, they can be utilized in many different decor designs for special occasions, too!
Sara is one of my best friends from college, and I'm certain you will NOT be disappointed in all she has to offer with her addressing services. You can learn more about Anderson Addressing below, and give her pages a follow!
Handcrafted Jewelry: Crown of Light Artistry by Stephanie Carter
Do you love handmade jewelry? Then, look no further than Crown of Light Artistry! Made with lightweight polymer clay and hypoallergenic, every earring pair is a one-of-a-kind piece. Offering dozens of different themed designs and colors, there's bound to be a special find for everyone!
Stephanie is my dear friend from Michigan, and I'm always OBSESSED with the earrings she creates! You can learn more about Crown of Light Artistry below, and give her pages a follow!
Self-Published Author: Redeemed: Discovering Identity After Trauma by Rebecca Kolenda
Hi, it's me! If you don't already know, I'm a passionate writer who loves to share relatable stories and heartfelt life lessons to remind readers they’re never alone. Becoming a self-published author has been a deeply personal and transformative journey. It has allowed me to share my story authentically and unfiltered. Writing my memoir wasn't just about healing from my past, but also creating a space where others could feel validated and understood. If you’ve ever struggled with identity, trauma, or finding purpose, my story will remind you that redemption is possible!
Redeemed: Discovering Identity After Trauma is now available on Amazon:
Or snag a signed copy from my website:
Once you read my memoir, please take a moment to leave a review on Amazon. My indie author heart would greatly appreciate it!
To learn more about my self-publishing journey and discover my latest book recommendations and life updates, follow me on social media!
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